Apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders and the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylindrical bodies and the like, especially the screens of rotary film or screen printing machines by spraying with a washing medium, the cleaning operation occurring with a substantially vertical position of such hollow cylindrical body. According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning compartment having a substantially vertical lengthwise axis, one wall of such cleaning compartment being downwardly tiltable in order to easily introduce the hollow cylinder body or the like into the cleaning compartment. A support structure or frame for mounting the hollow cylinder body and a spraying mechanism are secured to the inside of this tiltable wall.

United States Patent Thierstein 1 Feb. 15, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FORCLEANING HOLLOW 2,741,857 4/1956 Linatsas ..134/l49 X CYLINDERS AND THELIKE i333??? 14;]322 GndelfSOni ,10 01 asaaet ..l3 X [72] Inventor:l-lans Thierstein, Holzacker, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Fritz Bauser AGMaschinenfabrik, Wiler FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS b. Utzenstorf,Switzerland 234,321 10/1969 U.S.S.R. ..134/ 143 [22] Filed: June 1970Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge [21] Appl. No.: 42,241Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman 301 Foreign Application Priority um [57]ABSTRACT An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylindrical bodies and theJune 11, 1969 Switzerland ..8908/69 like, especially the screens ofrotary film or Screen priming machines by spraying with a washingmedium, the cleaning [52] 2 3 operation occurring with a substantiallyvertical position of [51] Int Cl B08b 3/02 6 9/02 such hollowcylindrical body. According to the invention, [58] Fie'ld 138 l 43 thereis provided a cleaning compartment having a substan- 134 167 6 tiallyvertical lengthwise axis, one wall of such cleaning compartment beingdownwardly tiltable in order to easily introduce the hollow cylinderbody or the like into the cleaning [56] Reierences Cited compartment. Asupport structure or frame for mounting the UNITED STATES PATENTSholtlipw cylinder-body; a zlplvraying mechanism are secured to einsi e0istita ew 3,078,861 2/1963 Miller ..134/170 X 3,070,103 12/ 1962 Pickardet a1. 1 34/1 13 X 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR CLEANINGHOLLOW CYLINDERS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cleaningoperation being carried out with the hollow cylinder 1 0 insubstantially vertical position.

Now it is already known to the art, for the purpose of cleaning thescreens of rotary filmor screen-printing machines, to utilize anapparatus wherein the screen bears upon rotary brushes arranged at aninclination, the washing liquid or fluid for cleaning the screen beingintroduced through a conduit extending within the screen. If the hollowcylinders which are to be cleaned possess flanges at the cylinder endsand which reduce the free cross-sectional area, then it is impossible toprevent the formation of a pocket during the cleaning operation, byvirtue of the inclined position of the hollow cylinder, the washingliquid being retained in such pocket and having to be removed by anadditional operation.

This problem thus suggests itself to the cleaning of such hollowcylinders while they are arranged in vertical position. Yet, thehandling of such thin-walled, partially perforated hollow cylinderspossessing a length of a number of meters requires the greatest care sothat they are not damaged. Although with this cleaning technique thereis avoided the aforementioned residual washing liquid, still suchtechnique for cleaning these hollow cylinders has been found not to becompletely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a real need exists in the art forcleaning apparatus for cleaning such type hollow cylinders or the likewhich is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks ordifficulties of the prior art constructions. Hence, a primary objectiveof the present invention is to provide apparatus for this purpose andwhich effectively fulfills this need without the attendant drawbacksnoted above.

Another. more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved construction of apparatus for the cleaning of hollowcylindrical bodies or the like, typically the silk screens of rotarytilmor screen-printing machines, which effectively cleans such hollowcylindrical bodies without damage thereto, provides for easy handling ofthe body to be cleaned, and still safeguards against the accumulation ofwashing liquid which would otherwise require an additional removal step.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates toan improved apparatus for the cleaning of hollow cylindrical bodies in arelatively simple, reliable and inexpensive manner, without damaging thehollow cylinder body, and wherein the apparatus structure for carryingout the cleaning operation is relatively inexpensive to manufacture,easy to use, and not readily subject to breakdown.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the inventive cleaning apparatus will be seen to comprise acleaning compartment having a substantially vertically extendinglengthwise axis. This cleaning compartment incorporates a wall portionwhich can be tilted outwardly to facilitate introduction of the hollowcylinder undergoing the cleaning operation. A support frame or structurefor suitably mounting the hollow cylinder and a spray mechanism ormechanisms are secured to the inside of this tiltable wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understoodand objects other than those set forth above will become apparent whenconsideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a schematic view, partially in section, of a preferredembodiment of inventive apparatus for cleaning hollow bodies or thelike, showing the tiltable or displaceable wall of the cleaningcompartment in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the tiltable wall together with the supportstructure and spraying means of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. I,viewed in the direction of the arrow II thereof; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the cleaningapparatus shown in FIG. 1 and identified therein by the region III.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now thedrawing, in FIG. 1 there is depicted an exemplary embodiment ofinventive cleaning apparatus for hollow bodies or the like which will beseen to comprise a cleaning compartment 1, the lengthwise axis of whichextends substantially vertically. This cleaning compartment 1 embodies afloor portion 2, a cover or top portion 3 as well as the sidewalls 4. Inthe illustrated construction, the cleaning compartment 1 can possess asquare or rectangular cross-sectional configuration and have smoothwalls.

Now, according to one significant aspect of the invention one of thewalls, identified as wall 5, of the cleaning compartment 1 is mounted tobe pivotable about a shaft 11 secured to the sidewalls 4 of the cleaningcompartment 1. This pivotably mounted wall 5, as best illustrated inFIG. 1, can be tilted into a substantially horizontal position, asshown, a handgrip 6 being provided to facilitate such downward tiltingof this wall Continuing, it will be understood that secured to thetiltable wall 5 is a rotational support structure or support frame,conveniently designated in its entirety by reference numeral 7. Thissupport frame or structure 7 will be understood to comprise a number ofrods or tubes 9 arranged concentrically with respect to the lengthwiseaxis 8, and an impact or stop plate member 10 against which these rodsor tubes 9 terminate. The rotatable support structure 7 is mounted upona conduit 14, specifically at its lower end at the impact plate 10 andat its upper end at the hood or cap member 17. Conduit I4 is secured, inturn, by means of its one free end 12 in a suitable holder or supportmember 13 which is fastened to the inside of the downwardly pivotable ortiltable wall 5.

As best observed by referring to FIG. 3, conduit 14 is hollow, sealed atits end 16 by any suitable expedient, such as a plug or the like, andthe appropriate washing medium or liquid flowing through such hollowconduit 14 to a number of spray nozzles 15 distributed about theperiphery of this conduit 14 at appropriate locations thereof.

FIG. 2 further illustrates an additional hollow pipe or conduit 20 whichis arranged laterally with respect to the support frame 7, conduit 20being secured to an upright or column 21. This pipe or conduit 20advantageously extends parallel to the aforementioned lengthwise axis,in other words parallel to the previously considered pipe or conduit 14.Additionally, conduit 20 possesses a number of spray nozzles 22distributed along its length, the nozzle axes of which are located at anangle, as shown, with respect to a plane containing the lengthwise axis8 and the axis of the conduit 20.

In FIG. 1, reference character 23 schematically denotes the infeed forthe appropriate washing fluid or liquid, this infeed merging with aflexible hose member 24 which, in turn, merges with the end 12 of thepipe or Conduit 14. Quite obviously, a further hose or infeed line canbe provided for the other conduit 20.

Now, in FIG. 1 there has been schematically illustrated a screen 25, forinstance a silk screen of a rotary film printing machine, which isguided and centered upon the rods or tubes 9 by means of its end rings26. Hence, the actual sensitive film or screen material of the printingscreen 25 does not come into contact with the support frame 7.

Now in order to clean the screen 25 the wall 5 is rocked into its closedposition so that the cleaning compartment 1 is closed. Then the washingliquid is conducted through the pipes 23, 24 or the like, into theconduit 14 and the conduit 20. This washing liquid is then sprayed bymeans of the associated conduit nozzles 15 and 22, the screen 25 thusbeing cleaned. The arrangement of the spray nozzles 22 in theaforementioned inclined position with respect to the plane containingboth lengthwise axes of the conduits l4 and ensures that the spray jetsemanating from the spray nozzles 22 contact the screen 25 substantiallytangentially. Hence, this screen 25 together with the rotary supportframe 7 is placed into rotational movement so that cleaning of thescreen at all sides is ensured.

Whether or not the support frame 7 is constructed to be rotatable ornonrotatable depends, to a great extent, upon the hollow cylinders whichare to be cleaned. Furthermore, the entire cleaning operation can befully automated in that, for instance, through the closing of thecleaning compartment 1 the washing operation can be initiated and againautomatically interrupted after a predetermined time. Furthermore, inorder to render possible observation of the cleaning procedure anobservation window 27 or the like can be conveniently mounted at thetiltable wall 5, as best shown in FIG. 1.

By virtue of the described apparatus of the invention cleaning of hollowcylinders, especially screens of rotary screen printing machines, isconsiderably simplified and damage to the hollow cylinder prevented. Thecleaning operation is intensive and favorably influenced by the rotationof the cylinder, with no special drive being necessary for this purpose.Cleaning of the hollow cylinder occurs in substantially verticalposition so that water accumulations are avoided, whereas theintroduction and removal of the hollow cylinder is undertaken with thewall member assuming the horizontal position which is favorable for thispurpose.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like, especiallythe printing screens of rotary screen printing machines, by sprayingsuch with a washing liquid while the cleaning operation is undertakenwith the hollow cylinder in substantially vertical position, comprisingmeans defining a cleaning compartment having a substantially verticallyextending lengthwise axis, said cleaning compartment including a wallmember, means mounting said wall member for pivotable movement between aposition closing said cleaning compartment into a position providingaccess thereto and facilitating introduction of the hollow cylinder tobe cleaned into said cleaning compartment, said wall member having aninside wall surface, a support means for mounting the hollow body andspray means for said washing liquid secured to said inside wall surface,means for rotatably mounting said support means, said support meanscomprising a plurality of substantially parallel concentrically arrangedlengthwise extending guides, said lengthwise extending guides beingmounted at said pivotable wall member in substantial parallelism withrespect to said inside wall surface and serving to center the hollowcylinder carried by said support means. i

2. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined inclaim 1, wherein said spray means comprises at least one conduitarranged internally of said support means and equipped with a number ofspray nozzles arranged along the length of said support means.

3. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined inclaim 1, wherein said spray means comprises at least one lengthwiseextending conduit arranged laterally of said support means andapproximately parallel to the lengthwise axis of said support means, aplurality of spray nozzles provided for said len thwise extendingconduit, the respective nozzle axis of san spray nozzles being arrangedat an angle with respect to a plane containing the lengthwise axis ofsaid lengthwise extending conduit so that the washing liquid jetsemanating from said spray nozzles at least partially impingetangentially upon the surface of a hollow cylinder to be cleaned whichis carried and centered by said support means, to thereby place saidhollow cylinder into rotational move ment.

4. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined inclaim 1, further including observation window means provided for saidpivotable wall member for the purpose of monitoring the cleaningoperation.

5. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined inclaim 1, wherein said mounting means for said wall member mounts saidwall member for pivotable movement about a substantially horizontalaxis.

1. An apparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like, especiallythe printing screens of rotary screen printing machines, by sprayingsuch with a washing liquid while the cleaning operation is undertakenwith the hollow cylinder in substantially vertical position, comprisingmeans defining a cleaning compartment having a substantially verticallyextending lengthwise axis, said cleaning compartmenT including a wallmember, means mounting said wall member for pivotable movement between aposition closing said cleaning compartment into a position providingaccess thereto and facilitating introduction of the hollow cylinder tobe cleaned into said cleaning compartment, said wall member having aninside wall surface, a support means for mounting the hollow body andspray means for said washing liquid secured to said inside wall surface,means for rotatably mounting said support means, said support meanscomprising a plurality of substantially parallel concentrically arrangedlengthwise extending guides, said lengthwise extending guides beingmounted at said pivotable wall member in substantial parallelism withrespect to said inside wall surface and serving to center the hollowcylinder carried by said support means.
 2. An apparatus for cleaninghollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein said spraymeans comprises at least one conduit arranged internally of said supportmeans and equipped with a number of spray nozzles arranged along thelength of said support means.
 3. An apparatus for cleaning hollowcylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein said spray meanscomprises at least one lengthwise extending conduit arranged laterallyof said support means and approximately parallel to the lengthwise axisof said support means, a plurality of spray nozzles provided for saidlengthwise extending conduit, the respective nozzle axis of said spraynozzles being arranged at an angle with respect to a plane containingthe lengthwise axis of said lengthwise extending conduit so that thewashing liquid jets emanating from said spray nozzles at least partiallyimpinge tangentially upon the surface of a hollow cylinder to be cleanedwhich is carried and centered by said support means, to thereby placesaid hollow cylinder into rotational movement.
 4. An apparatus forcleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim 1, furtherincluding observation window means provided for said pivotable wallmember for the purpose of monitoring the cleaning operation.
 5. Anapparatus for cleaning hollow cylinders or the like as defined in claim1, wherein said mounting means for said wall member mounts said wallmember for pivotable movement about a substantially horizontal axis.